Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
It had seemed like Jung had a good chance of making the team after Matt Vierling (shoulder) was ruled out for Opening Day, but the Tigers will make do with the likes of Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez at third base while Vierling is sidelined. Jung hit .121 with one home run and a 10:4 K:BB in 37 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play.
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Tigers' Jace Jung: Hits first spring home run
Rotowire
Jung went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Jung has been struggling this spring, as he entered Tuesday's contest just 3-for-22 with no home runs, but he showed a little spark in this one. Despite his slump, the 24-year-old is in a good position to serve as Detroit's Opening Day third baseman with Matt Vierling (shoulder) currently on the shelf. Jung batted .241 with a .666 OPS and no long balls across 34 games during his MLB debut in 2024, but he has the talent to improve on those numbers in his first full season in the majors.
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Tigers' Jace Jung: Could benefit with Vierling out
Rotowire
With Matt Vierling (shoulder) set to begin the regular season on the injured list, Jung could have a clearer path to regular playing time at third base, per Joey Johnston of MLB.com.
Jung was already seemingly on top of the depth chart at the hot corner, though he was likely to work in a platoon with Vierling. However, Vierling is dealing with a strained right rotator cuff muscle and will not be ready for Opening Day, so Jung may see a larger share of the playing time in the early going. If the 24-year-old gets off to a hot start, he could lock up the role more firmly for the rest of the year.
Jung's wrist is fully recovered from December surgery, and he put on a show during batting practice Saturday by hitting homers out to all fields, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
With Alex Bregman choosing Boston over Detroit and a couple other teams, the third-base job is an open competition between Jung and Matt Vierling this spring. Jung has a chip on his shoulder and reported to camp early to show that he's regained the explosiveness in his swing that was more apparent in 2023. His exit velocities were below expectations last season, but Beck reports those metrics have been on the rise since minicamp in January. Jung mentioned that he did 100 push-ups a day to strengthen the wrist and also put in a lot of time with his brother, Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, working on his footwork at third base. Vierling will make the team regardless, but Jung will likely open the season at Triple-A if he can't win the third-base job in spring training.
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Tigers' Jace Jung: Clearer path to roster spot
Rotowire
With free agent Alex Bregman passing up the Tigers to sign with the Red Sox, Jung (wrist) should have a clearer path to time at third base, though Matt Vierling likely remains the top option there Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Jung may have been pushed to the minors if Bregman had joined the team, but the former now has a clearer path to making the roster and having a meaningful role. Vierling is likely still the top option at the hot corner, though he can also play the outfield. Vierling also bats from the right side while Jung is left handed. That leaves the two players as potential platoon mates, and the 24-year-old Jung could emerge as a fantasy contributor in his second MLB season. He did undergo minor wrist surgery in December but should be good to go for spring training.
Tigers' Jace Jung: Figures to compete for bench role
Rotowire
Jung (wrist) is the mix for an Opening Day bench role this spring, though he may also begin the year at Triple-A Toledo, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Jung made his MLB debut in 2024 and slashed .241/.362/.304 in 34 games. The 24-year-old still has plenty of upside, though with the Tigers adding Gleyber Torres in the offseason, their infield is now a bit more crowded in the short term. That could leave Jung to compete with the likes of Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry and others for a utility role off the bench. Jung underwent minor wrist surgery in December, but he should be ready to go for spring training, and a strong exhibition showing would help his cause.
Jung underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure on his right wrist in October, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jung had been dealing with right wrist inflammation late in the season and the 24-year-old is expected to be ready to go for spring training in February. Jung appeared in 34 games with the Tigers during the 2024 regular season, producing a .241 average with five doubles, three RBI and 14 runs scored over 79 at-bats. Manager A.J. Hinch noted Monday that Jung will be given an opportunity to win a job during spring training, and he'll see work at third base, second base and in the designated hitter slot, per Petzold.
Jung is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.
Jung has now been absent from the Tigers' lineup for seven of the last 10 games. The rookie has just a .675 OPS and 31.5 percent strikeout rate in his first 31 big-league contests. Zach McKinstry is handling third base Tuesday as manager A.J. Hinch continues to mix and match at the hot corner.
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